Kenneth “Ken” Taryole, 82, passed from this life on July 24, 2026 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. He was born to Van and Sophia (Coon) Taryole in Okemah on June 29, 1944. He was of the Wind Clan and belonged to the Nuyaka Tribal Town. He would always tell the story of growing up from humble beginnings. Growing up in a 3-room house with an outhouse. During the winter, they were able to make jello by sitting it in one of the rooms because it was so cold. As a young boy, he would tell the story of helping his parents pick cotton for money. He knew then that’s not how he wanted to live. It pushed him to pursue an education.
After graduating from Mangum High School, he attended Haskell Junior College. Taryole was drafted into the US Army in 1966. He was stationed with the 1st Armored Division (Old Ironsides), Fort Hood, Texas where he received basic training and Advanced Infantry Training in all areas of the M-48 armored tank. He was assigned overseas duty in the Republic of South Korea. He was stationed with the Eighth Army, HHC/1st BN, 72nd Armor Camp Rose Korea. He participated on various occasions in field exercises on the DMZ as a show of strength and support of US Forces present in the area. Taryole was promoted to the rank of Sergeant (E-5), Tank Commander. He sustained a serviced connected injury and was honorably discharged in January of 1968.
In 1968, he went to work for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Muskogee, Oklahoma where he retired after 25 years of government service. While working for the BIA, he would occasionally travel to Washington D.C. for work. He was able to bring his family along and show his girls the Statue of Liberty, the White House, Lincoln Memorial and other historical monuments. Ken wanted his girls to do things he never would have been able to do when he was young.
Ken later served as the Manager of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Johnson O’Malley program for six years. He loved working with the students and staff of area schools. Ken always had a strong work ethic and passed it down to his girls. Teaching them to always do what is right, work hard and stand up for what you believe in.
He met his wife Darlene Frank in 1972 and they were married for 53 years. To this union, they had twin daughters, Jennifer and Valerie in 1980. They would take the girls to California, Washington DC, Mexico, and New Mexico traveling in a car or plane.
Ken had a love for everything southwest. From the pottery, adobe houses, the beautiful warm weather and landscape. He would always say that’s where he would live. It’s probably because the locals would mistake him for local news anchor, Conroy Chino. He would also get mistaken for Chief Dan George. We think he liked being a “celebrity.”
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Sally Tiger; uncle, Phillip Coon; cousin, Lorena Roberts and sister-in-law, Betsy Taryole.
Survivors include: his wife, Darlene; twin daughters, Jennifer and Valerie; brother, Sonny Taryole; nieces, Melinda Taylor (JR), Kristi Gibson Hooper (Shayne), and Gayle Hill; nephews, Benjamin “Boy” Gibson and Shawn Taryole; grandchildren, Vernon “Mister” Powell, Cyann “Missy” Powell, Preston Powell, and Sophy Powell; one great granddaughter, Leilani Powell.
Pallbearers were Johnathan Bond, Derrek Bond, Robert Coffey, Shayne Hooper, and Jeromie Hammer.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Vernon “Mister” Powell, Preston Powell, Shawn Taryole, Sonny Taryole, Mike Coon and Grover Wind.
Interment was at the Ft. Gibson National Cemetery.
Gratitude:
On behalf of the family of Kenneth “Ken” Taryole, we would like to express our gratitude to everyone who said prayers, brought food, sent flowers and offered support to our family during our time of need. Your thoughtfulness, kindness and loving support brought us comfort. We would like to extend a very special “Mvto” to Robert Coffey, Mike and Nancy Coon, Mattie Looney, Barton Looney, Angelita Heneha and the members of Thewarle Indian Baptist Church of Dustin, Ok.; Rita Williams, Rosanna Bear, Lillian Thomas and the ladies of the Mvskoke Lady Legends Organization; Belvin Baptist Church; Muscogee (Creek) Nation Social Services; Grover Wind and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Veterans Affairs Services Office; Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse; Patriot Riders; Muscogee Riders; Muscogee Nation Honor Guard; New Beginnings Baptist Church in Henryetta, Ok.; Schaudt Funeral Home; and Ft. Gibson National Cemetery.
